How to Find Time to Write: 48 Ways to Become a More Productive Writer

On the one hand, you’d like to know how to find time to write to finish that screenplay, TV pilot or treatment (or start one, for that matter.) You want to begin making headway toward your writing goals.

On the other hand…

Most days pass in a blur. You’re dead tired after getting home from work. Then it’s family time. Or you feel like crashing in front of the TV. Or you promised to go see a work colleague’s band play across town. And on and on.

There always seems to be something in the way of just sitting down and writing. Well, that’s about to change.

In this post, we’ve collected together our absolute favorite 48 resources that will teach you how to find time to write and create the ultimate writer’s lifestyle—enabling you to truly kick-start your screenwriting career.

We’ll cover hacks on how to find time to write, how to write more efficiently, tips to improve productivity for writers, health, fitness and much more.

In other words, everything you need to develop the optimal conditions in your life so you can give your screenwriting goals the best possible chance of succeeding. So let’s get to it.

(Full disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we will gain a small commission if you purchase something—at no extra cost to you.)

Get Inspired to Write All Over Again

Sometimes the reason why we don’t write as much as we’d like is simply that our enthusiasm has dried up a little. After several rejection letters or lukewarm feedback on a script, it’s easy to get disheartened.

With that in mind, here are six resources you can use to rediscover your writing mojo.

4. If you don’t live in the most inspiring place on earth, consider moving to Los Angeles or just coming over a couple of weeks. Writing and movies are in the air and you’ll love soaking up every drop.

Set Writing Goals but Actually Stick to Them

There are page-count goals, word-count goals, yearly goals, weekly goals, etc. There’s no magic formula to setting goals. The important thing is that you pick the system that works for you and stick to it.

Your writing needs focus and structure if it’s going to improve or you’re going to write as much as you want to this year. And as they say, if you’re not sure where you’re going, it’s harder to get there.

How to Find Time to Write by Optimizing Your Tools of the Trade

Yes, technically you can write a screenplay in a windowless room, using Microsoft Word and on a ten-year-old laptop. But the environment you choose to write in, and the tools you choose to use, matter.

Some add to the already difficult and sometimes frustrating process of writing. Others free the mind, induce creativity and make writing that much easier. And they’re just the kind of resources and tips you’ll find below.

13. Master how to write more efficiently by using the outlining and scheduling app, BlankPage. It’s designed for novels but works equally well with screenplays.

30. Do a deep dive on creating and sticking to habits by reading Charles Duhigg’s best-selling book, The Power of Habit.

How to Find Time to Write: Give Your Mind a Tune-Up

Stress, resentments, worries, grudges, regrets, lack of confidence… There’s often a lot of useless clutter floating around our minds that can reduce our sense of wellbeing and drain resources away from more positive things, like writing.

Aim to greatly reduce the stress and unnecessary “fluff” in your mind, freeing up space for it to be more creative and focused.

How to Find Time to Write: Give Your Body a Tune-Up

Don’t worry, we’re not here to give you a lecture on how you need to turn into a teetotal kale-munching gym bunny. But if you think you could be fitter and healthier than you currently are, it’s worth doing something about it, no matter how small.

We all know things like exercise, diet and getting enough sleep raise energy and mood levels and improve focus. But how do you get started? Check out these resources.

We hope you enjoyed this post on how to find time to write and how to write more efficiently. Which of these techniques do you already use? Which ones are you going to try out? Let us know in the comments below!

Enjoyed This Post? Read More on How to Find Time to Write AND Become a Screenwriter…

Your productivity tips are applicable to anyone with dreams and challenges of being a screenwriter.
I really like your idea of a standing desk, I suggested it to my wife, yesterday. In a standing position, I think I will be able to keep focusing on my writing as I am a very energetic person.

I always try to write at least 1 line per day. It almost always turns out to be 10 or 20 lines. So just doing it every day no matter how little helps build the habit and finish most of my screenplays in 4 weeks or less.

Bookmarked. This is immensely helpful – for new and seasoned screenwriters alike. Sometimes it’s so easy to forget the basic things that really yield results, and some refreshers every now and then and new productivity ideas are definitely a godsend. Thanks for this!

Great suggestions, I can’t wait to test some of your productivity tips. In the morning, I visit my favorite news websites, check my personal email, then shut that all down and focus on writing. Also, taking my dog out for a walk helps to come up with new ideas for my screenplay.

I am the mom of 3 kids, a full-time job with an hour drive and an hour drive back, and farm work to do, and I was able to finish my screenplay within 6 weeks last year. I got up at 5am and worked on my screenplay 1.5 hours a day. What makes the biggest difference is when you put aside all the silly excuses you’ve come up with and just stick to a routine.

Although I’m more a night owl than an early riser, I have to say I do write better when I do it early. Nevertheless, the biggest change for me isn’t writing in the mornings, or the evenings, it is dedicating myself to it at least 5 days a week.